Shloka 6.79.30

मकराक्षवधः (The Slaying of Makarākṣa)

Devanagari script

भित्त्वारथंशरैरामोहत्वाआश्वानपातयत् ।विरथोवसुधास्थश्चमकराक्षोनिशाचरः ।।।।

Transliteration

bhittvā rathaṃ śarair rāmo hatvā aśvān apātayat | viratho vasudhāsthaś ca makarākṣo niśācaraḥ ||

Translation

Rāma shattered the chariot with his arrows, slew the horses, and brought them down; and Makarākṣa, the night-roaming rākṣasa, left without a chariot, stood upon the ground.

Context

Rama broke the chariot, killed the horses, and laid down the night ranger Maka raksha. Deprived of the chariot he stood on the ground.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Makarākṣa
• Chariot (ratha)
• Horses (aśva)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma-yuddha aims to neutralize the threat effectively. Disabling mobility and weapon-platforms (chariot, horses) is a form of controlled force directed toward ending harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma disables Makarākṣa’s chariot and horses; the rākṣasa is forced to continue the fight on foot.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic restraint and precision—Rāma targets the enemy’s capacity to fight, not merely exchanging blows.